Andrey’s hand shot out, fingers wrapping gently around Hope’s wrist.

Hope stopped mid-stride, her golden ponytail swaying with the sudden halt. She turned back, her blue eyes wide with surprise. A faint blush crept across her cheeks, though her voice remained cheerful, deliberately light.

"Andrey? What is it?"

Andrey released her wrist, his expression calm but serious. "The power you borrowed during the fight. The temporary amplification. It came with a cost."

Hope’s smile faltered. She blinked as the memory of the system’s warning and the pink holographic screen mentioning the risks resurfaced in her mind. Her blush deepened, but she forced her tone to stay casual. "Oh, that. The system mentioned side effects, right?"

"Correct," Andrey said, adjusting his cracked glasses. "We need to resolve this before you leave."

Hope glanced around at the Association personnel swarming the ruined street. Medics, officials, and cleanup crews moved with practiced efficiency, but a few curious glances drifted their way. She lowered her voice.

"My apartment isn’t far from the Lumina Guild. It’s closer than your place." She met his eyes, her expression carefully neutral despite the warmth in her cheeks. "We can talk there."

Andrey considered this for a moment, then nodded. "Lead the way."

Hope turned, and Andrey fell into step beside her. Their boots crunched on the broken asphalt, past overturned cars and shattered storefronts. A few heroes nodded at Hope as they passed, some offering words of thanks, others simply acknowledging her presence.

They walked in silence for a few blocks before Hope spoke.

"Does this happen often? The... payment, I mean?"

Andrey glanced at her, noting the way her fingers fidgeted with the edge of her armored gauntlet. "With my team, yes. The system requires... affection exchange to maintain their powers."

Hope’s steps slowed. "Affection exchange?"

"It’s not what you think," Andrey said quickly, his ears turning pink. "It’s... physical contact. Skin-to-skin. The system says it strengthens the bond between the Magical Girl and the manager."

Hope was quiet for a long moment. Then she let out a soft, almost nervous laugh. "So you’re telling me that to balance the energy you gave me, we have to... touch?"

"Essentially."

The Lumina Guild tower loomed ahead, its reflective glass catching the late afternoon sun. Hope turned left before they reached the main entrance, leading Andrey down a side street lined with neat apartment buildings.

"My place is just up here," she said, gesturing toward a modest building with a small garden in front.

Hope’s apartment was warm and inviting, nothing like Andrey’s minimalist space. Soft yellow walls, potted plants on the windowsills, and a large bookshelf overflowing with novels and hero memorabilia. Her golden armor was already stacked in a corner, leaving her in a simple white tank top and dark leggings.

Andrey stood near the door, his arms at his sides.

Hope sat on the edge of her couch, patting the cushion beside her. "Come on, sit. You look like you’re about to give a presentation." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Andrey’s lips twitched, but he sat, maintaining a careful distance.

"So," Hope said, clasping her hands in her lap. "What exactly does this ’affection exchange’ entail? I’d like to know before we start."

Andrey met her eyes. "The system requires skin-to-skin contact. Usually... chest contact."

Hope’s cheeks flushed a deep crimson. "Chest?"

"Specifically, the Magical Girl’s breasts."

The system’s holographic screen flickered to life, pink and sparkly, its cheerful voice cutting through the tension in Hope’s apartment.

System: Correct! Because you borrowed Magical Girl power, you have to make a payment. Nothing in this world is free, you know~

Hope stared at the floating screen, her blue eyes wide. She raised a hand, waving it through the hologram, watching the pink light ripple around her fingers. "This... this is like when you warned me about the synchronization earlier."

System: Ehehe~ Nice to meet you properly, Hope-chan! You were amazing back there, just like a real Magical Girl!

Hope’s cheeks flushed. "That was because of the power you lent me—wait, no, that’s not the point! What do you mean, ’physical contact with my chest’? That’s the same as—" She crossed her arms over her chest, gripping her shoulders. "That’s just perverted!"

System: No, no, we’re not that perverted! So just relax~

Andrey’s internal thought surfaced: ’The system made me grope Sarah’s breasts the first time...’

Hope let out a long breath, her shoulders relaxing slightly. "So... no physical contact after all?"

System: That’s right~ Andrey is the perverted one, not me~

Andrey adjusted his glasses, his expression flat. "That’s not true. You’re the one who designed the rewards. Don’t blame me for following your instructions."

System: Anyway~ Because Hope borrowed Magical Girl power, Hope is now a Magical Girl candidate! Congratulations, Hope-chan~

Hope blinked. "A candidate? What does that mean?"

Andrey’s eyes narrowed behind his cracked glasses. "Wait. A candidate? Are you sure about that, System?"

System: Absolutely certain, Host! I detected a significant flow of the power of love within Hope-chan’s soul during the temporary synchronization. She has the potential.

Andrey pinched the bridge of his nose. "You always detect the strangest things..."

Hope blinked, her cheeks still pink. "Love? I’ve never even been in a relationship before. I don’t know anything about love... not really."

System: That’s exactly what I mean! Your innocence, your purity of heart—that’s rare, Hope-chan. You’d make a beautiful Magical Girl~

Andrey shot a flat look at the floating pink screen. "Hey. You’re showing your true colors more and more every day, System."

Hope waved her hands, flustered. "I’m not that pure! I just... haven’t had time for romance, okay? Between gates and guild duties..." She paused, her expression softening as she looked down at her hands. "But that power I felt earlier... it was different. Stronger than anything I’ve ever experienced. It made me feel... whole. Like I could take on anything."

System: Ehehe~ Of course! My power is different from ordinary mana. I provide pure energy, the energy of love. It’s the most powerful force in existence, after all~ But... because your rank is so high, and your soul has already been shaped by years of hero work, I can’t register you as a full Magical Girl just yet. The compatibility is there, but the integration would be... unstable.